The Veteran’s Response Team of Northeast Georgia wants local veterans to know that they are not alone; if a veteran needs something, all they have to do is call 706-968-5139, Ext. 705.
Veterans and their families in Union and Towns counties are served by Division II of the Veteran’s Response Team, which is managed by the Disabled American Veterans Blairsville Chapter 11 in conjunction with other local Veteran Service Organizations, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
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VRT assists veterans with a variety of needs, such as temporary emergency shelter (two days); food for one week; getting connected with a Service Officer for VA claims; referral to county resources; minor household repairs; a one-time utility bill payment up to $200; and transportation to a doctor.
And if a veteran is seeking help for something outside the capabilities of the Veteran’s Response Team, the organization will do everything it can to pair the veteran with the appropriate resource to meet their need.
The Veteran’s Response Team began in 2023 as a patriotic charitable venture aimed at streamlining aid requests submitted to the Veteran Service Organizations of Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties, and now White County also.
When DAV Chapter 11 Cmdr. Bruce Anrig learned about VRT, he knew the veterans of Union and Towns needed such a resource. Fortunately, he was able to get a second division of the Veteran’s Response Team formed in July 2025.
As noted above, part of the VRT service is assistance with VA claims, which Anrig can provide personally – and always for free – as a Certified Service Officer through the Disabled American Veterans.
“If you’re disabled because of what happened to you in the service, you deserve to get the help that you need and get the money that you have earned from being hurt,” Anrig said.
Veterans needing assistance may also email their requests to union.county.vrt@gmail.com or visit https://negavrt.org/ for more information.
Moving forward, the Veteran’s Response Team is hoping that generous patriots will want to donate to the cause to help provide for the needs of well-deserving local veterans. To give, simply use the QR code that appears with this article or visit the VRT website for more info.
Additionally, the Veteran’s Response Team is open to other Veteran Service Organizations that would like to be team members, as well as other community organizations interested in being a source for helping veterans in need of different services not covered by VRT.
And there are individual volunteer opportunities. Positions in the Veteran’s Response Team System that will need to be filled as the group grows are Food Team Leader; Shelter Team Leader; Handyman Team Leader; Utilities Team Leader; and Transportation Team Leader.
Drivers transporting veterans in need of help getting to routine doctor visits will be reimbursed for mileage at 50 cents per mile driven.
To volunteer in any of the above capacities, email VRT Division II Administrator Bruce Anrig at union.county.vrt@gmail.com.
